“No.” His voice was tired and a little old. “Do you think I shall ever find her?”
“Not as you have expected,” she answered quietly. “She will never come like that.” She seemed to be making an effort. “You—you would give a great deal to have her back, Mr. Holt?”
Her question was childish in its absurdity, and she was like a child looking at him as she did in this moment. He forced a smile to his lips and nodded.
“Of course. Everything I possess.”
“You—you—loved her—”
Her voice trembled. It was odd she should ask these questions. But the probing did not sting him; it was not a woman’s curiosity that inspired them, and the comforting softness in her voice did him good. He had not realized before how much he wanted to answer that question, not only for himself, but for someone else—aloud.
“Yes, I did.”
The confession almost startled him. It seemed an amazing confidence to be making under any circumstances, and especially upon such brief acquaintance. But he said no more, though in Ellen McCormick’s face and eyes was a tremulous expectancy. He stepped into the little room which had been his sleeping place, and returned with his dunnage-sack. Out of this he took the bag in which were Mary Standish’s belongings, and gave it to Sandy’s wife. It was a matter of business now, and he tried to speak in a businesslike way.
“Her things are inside. I got them in her cabin. If you find her, after I am gone, you will need them. You understand, of course. And if you don’t find her, keep them for me. I shall return some day.” It seemed hard for him to give his simple instructions. He went on: “I don’t think I shall stay any longer, but I will leave a certified check at Cordova, and it will be turned over to your husband when she is found. And if you do find her, you will look after her yourself, won’t you, Mrs. McCormick?”
Ellen McCormick choked a little as she answered him, promising to do what he asked. He would always remember her as a sympathetic little thing, and half an hour later, after he had explained everything to Sandy, he wished her happiness when he took her hand in saying good-by. Her hand was trembling. He wondered at it and said something to Sandy about the priceless value of a happiness such as his, as they went down to the beach.